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Former Toronto Blue Jays player named as the manager for team USA
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Photo credit: TSN
Team USA will be in good hands as Mark DeRosa, 50, will return as manager for the second consecutive World Baseball Classic. He previously led the team during the 2023 tournament, guiding them all the way to the championship game.
With the 2026 World Baseball Classic less than a year away, former Toronto Blue Jay player Mark DeRosa has been appointed as the manager of Team USA Thursday morning.
He'll also be hungry to win after coming up short against Japan in 2023.
Team USA came up just short in the 2023 World Baseball Classic title game, falling 3-2 to Japan in a dramatic finish that saw Shohei Ohtani strike out Mike Trout to seal the win.
Tyler Maher from the Toronto Blue Jays On Si writes that DeRosa is the man for the job given his impressive track record.
"Given DeRosa's impressive experience, expertise and passion for the game, he's a great choice to lead Team USA again. He stayed up until 4 a.m. every morning mapping out lineups and potential matchups during the last tournament, so he takes the role seriously." -Maher
The former utilityman suited up for eight different teams throughout his MLB career, including the Blue Jays during his final season in 2013.
"He contributed 0.7 WAR in 88 games for Toronto, batting .235/.326/.407 with seven home runs and 36 RBI." -Maher
DeRosa will collaborate closely with Team USA general manager Michael Hill, who also serves as Major League Baseball's senior vice president of on-field operations.
With 11 months to prepare, DeRosa will look to guide Team USA to its second World Baseball Classic title-and its first since 2017. Judging by his enthusiastic reaction on MLB Network, he's more than ready to get started.
Source:
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Former Blue Jays Player Named Team USA Manager for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Former Blue Jays Player Named Team USA Manager for 2026 World Baseball Classic
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